In the ultimate show of unity, management and players at Ramsbottom United FC have pitched in their own wages to the club’s flood fund.

The players, manager Garry Vaughan and staff at the ground donated their week’s wages to their flood appeal on Saturday, January 30 to restore the ground’s former glory after it was devastated by the Boxing Day floods.

With players and management sacrificing their wages, management hopes the team will be able to play their first game at home at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium on Saturday, February 13.

Manager Garry Vaughan said the team and staff would do whatever it takes to get back to playing on their own turf.

“We donated back a week’s wages to the club, all the players and the staff; me included. I wouldn’t lead without leading,” he said.

“We have had a couple of gripes about it but the right thing to do is look after the chairman because he’s looked after us.

“It’s a testament to Rammy and all the staff at the club. They need looking after as well as the players. We’re all in it together.”

Once back on home turf Vaughan hopes that the team will be able to get the crucial wins they need to stay in the league.

He said: “The whole of January killed us, it’s been really, really tough.

“We’ve been all over the country and that takes it out of you, and we can’t get the lads together at the ground.

“Hopefully we can get full team at home and get the wins we need to avoid relegation.”

The Harry Williams Riverside Stadium, named after the Chairman Harry Williams, was left under more than five feet of water after the deluge on Boxing Day.

Fans and players alike pitched in to help with the initial clean-up as they pumped water away from the stadium and the neighbouring cricket club.